ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Boston Red Sox received more good news regarding the left foot sprain Allen Craig sustained last Friday and expect him to return soon. He's eligible to be activated off the 15-day disabled list on August 17.

Craig went to see a specialist in North Carolina this week. There were no new findings related to his left ankle injury.

"We're taking every step to ramp up his baseball activities and get him back on the field as soon as possible," manager John Farrell said in his pregame media session at Angels Stadium on Friday. "Optimistically it would be at the end of the 15 days, but we'll see how it responds to an increase in activity."

As soon as Craig can get on the field, the Red Sox will be able to take a look at their newly acquired left fielder. It's been a down year for the 29-year-old. After hitting .315, .307 and .315 in 2011, '12 and '13, respectively, Craig is hitting just .237 in 2014.

His health has been a concern.

"I think we have to get him moving on some ground base stuff first," Farrell said. "With each passing day from the injury that those symptoms have subsided, and we're at the point of starting that activity."

While Craig is making less than $3 million this season, he's scheduled to make $5.5 million in 2015, $9 million in 2016, $11 million in 2017 and $13 million in 2018, if the Red Sox pick up his option. As a measuring stick, veteran right fielder Shane Victorino has been making $13 million per season while with the Red Sox.

Craig, acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals along with Joe Kelly in exchange for John Lackey, is expected to be a key piece of the Red Sox's offense for years to come. With a career .291 average and .803 OPS in the majors (his minor league numbers are even more impressive), expectations remain high.

"We acquired him to be a part of the team for a long time," general manager Ben Cherington said this week. "We just want to make sure we get it right."